Help--my Beta Is Sick

[geminidragn]

I have been treating my beta Rojo with MELAFIX for a week now. I think he has tail and fin rot.
He started with a few white spots-so I thought he had ICK.So I bought ICK medicine.It looked like he was getting better.But recently I noticed hairy stuff on his bottom fin. Now most of his fin is gone and his tail section is starting to blacken. So I got MELAFIX.
He lives with another beta in a ten gallon tank that I have split in two. I keep the water between 74-76 degrees.I change the water twice a month.And he had this before I got my other beta Azul. Am I doing the right treatment? How long do I need to do this?Please help I don't want to loose Rojo. Any suggestions or comment would be greatly appreciated.THANKS

[Nick_Pavlovski]

Water changes for Bettas should be weekly or even more often, is my first thought.

[shalafi04]

Water changes for Bettas should be weekly or even more often, is my first thought.

that was mine as well.

is the tank filtered what are the paramaters of the tank water??? Im curious if its just poor water quality thats keeping rojo from getting better.

[gm72]

Right. Let's get some more information.

1. Filtration
2. Ammonia, nitrIte, and nitrAte readings

Then we can help more!

[geminidragn]

The filtration I was using was just a carbon filter.Which I stopped because of the treatment.
I don't do ammonia testing anymore--ammonia in the water here is low to start with.
And I'm not sure the diameters of the tank--it was given to me.I just know that its ten gallons

[shalafi04]

well any ammonia is bad water should still be treated and tested to make sure there are no ph spikes or anything else funky going on.
.as for filtration... what type of filter do you have.
Is there an HOB thats not running right now??

[geminidragn]

the water treatment that I use is Aquasafe-I was told that it takes care of ammonia. The filters I use are carbon. The MELAFIX medicine says to remove filters during treatment.

[Tooch]

With infrequent water changes, how much ammonia there is in your tapwater is irrelevant. Fish pooh causes ammonia, and without water changes being done at least every week, that can build up. Definatly still check for ammonia, especially when you're noticing problems with your tank.

[geminidragn]

Am I using the right treatment for the hairy fungus and lose of bottom fin?
I'll start changing the water once a week instead of twice a month--thanks

[Tolley]

The filtration I was using was just a carbon filter.Which I stopped because of the treatment.


Does this mean you stopped the filration altogether?

[Colin]

@ geminidragn

Do you understand what biological and chemical action is going on in a fish tank, I think they call it the nitrogen cycle. You need to know this, it is very important. Without this knowledge you will kill your fish slowly and painfully.

The advice from your supplier seems to be lacking.

If you dont know about the Nitrogen Cycle I would recommend an immediate water change, just 25% right now ( and that means right now, no more looking on the forum) and then Google Nitrogen Cycle and read about it, then do another water change, you will see why once you have read about it.

From what you have said you may be doing water changes twice a day for a while, lol, we have all gone through this m8, running around with buckets of water in a panic for ammonia levels off the scale. Ahhh memories.

Another thing, I wouldnt try to controll your tanks chemical levels with chemicals, it is fundamently flawed and can prove problematic when your trying to accertain the actual water quality.

Not trying to give you a bad vibe m8 but your fish is in pain and you can help the little fella by
changing the water
lerning about the nitrogen cycle
buying a water conditioner to remove chlorine
getting a 3 stage mechanical chemical biological style filter
buying a water test kit
and not using additives to stabalise the water

Take care of him, he needs your love right now

[geminidragn]

Thanks--I just finished changing the water --25%
I'll check out all that you said-thanks again
pray for my little friend--he really is a fighter(LOL) and I'm fighting for him too!

[geminidragn]

yes-but just during treatment. I just changed the water(25%) and i have the filtration back on till tomorrow when I start treatment again.

[geminidragn]

Thanks Colin--one Q how do you think I should control the chemical levels of the water?

[SkarloeysMom]

the water treatment that I use is Aquasafe-I was told that it takes care of ammonia.

You were misinformed. Aquasafe does not remove ammonia. You would need to use Amquel or or Seachem Prime. If you do have ammonia in your tap you might want to get one of these.

[Colin]

Your in a bit of a sticky situation here m8.
It looks like your trying to treat your fish for diseases and getting the tank to cycle at the same time.
Hmmm, I dunno. I dont have enough information.

All I know is if your water is poor ie too much poison (Ammonia, Nitrite) then the little fella cant survive, your making him breath his own poo basicly.

you say the filter you have only has just carbon elements in it? that seems wrong.

You now know that the filter in the tank should contain bacteria to break down Ammonia to Nitrite and then to harmless nitrate. Does your filter do that?

Regarding the diseases, you need to keep treating them, be carefull not to over do it.
Have you got a testing kit for the water quality? If you havnt then take a sample to your local fish shop and ask if they will test it for you

Keep changing the water with de-chlorinated water, twice a day 25% each time untill you understand what is going on.

If your filter only has a carbon element then you have to buy a filter with the 3 stages of filtration. Go to your supplier and say "I need a 3 stage internal filter for my fish tank" he will ask what size and you tell him 20 gall, (you have a 10 gall tank but you need twice the size of the manufacturers recommendation)

Good luck

If anyone else is reading this could you comment please, I dont want to give any bad advice, I am only suggesting what I would do given the information provided.

[geminidragn]

Thanks everyone for your help--It is much appreciated.
Like I said---I'm willing to try anything to save Rojo.
Thanks again and I'll keep you posted on how things go.